RYEDALE residents are set for another council tax rise.

Cash-strapped North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has set a budget for “uncertain times”, precept rises are recommended for police and fire services, and the district council also looks set to increase its charge.

The county council’s tax constitutes the majority of what residents pay.

At a meeting of NYCC’s executive last week, members recommended a budget package with an increase in general council tax next year of 2.99 per cent, along with a two per cent social care precept, making a total rise of 4.99 per cent.

This is equivalent to about £1.20 per week for an average household.

NYCC is currently facing a £14m black-hole in its budget, despite finding £26m in savings over the next three years.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of NYCC, said: “Demand for our services continues to increase at a time when there has never been such uncertainty over future funding levels and we are still waiting for the government’s spending review and the adult social care green paper.

“This year’s budget is characterised by over £23m of additional demand-led pressures, particularly in the areas of social care for both children and adults.”

Increases have also been recommended by the police and fire commissioner’s office.

For fire services, they suggested an increase of 2.99 per cent per annum over last year’s charge.

For police, after considering the messages within the recent Neighbourhood Policing Survey from the public of North Yorkshire of the need for “more visible local policing”, there will be an increase of 10.3 per cent from the 2018/19 level.

Combined, this would mean the average ‘Band D’ household will pay an extra £26.02 next year for the police and fire precept.

Commissioner Julia Mulligan said of the increase: “North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service will continue to face significant financial challenges despite the fire precept increase and I call on the government, once more, to recognise the need for investment in our critical emergency services.

“Everyone who works for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to delivering the best service they can for members of the public.

“They deserve our support and, with government still not fairly recognising the challenges we face here, this is the only way of achieving that.”

At a meeting of North Yorkshire's Police, Fire and Crime Panel yesterday however, the panel vetoed the police precept rise as "simply too much".

It is also likely there will be a small tax increase at district level.

At a meeting of Ryedale District Council’s policy and resources committee tomorrow (Thursday), members will consider a £5 increase recommended by officers as part of the council’s financial strategy for next year.

The rise will follow a similar increase last year.